That's a problem for many in American agriculture who say the U.S. already is failing to keep up with other nations in drone use that could provide billions of dollars in economic growth.

"We're behind the eight ball when it comes to places like Japan and Australia, which have been using drones in agriculture since the 1980s," said R.J. Karney, director of congressional relations for the American Farm Bureau. "There's an urgency to get the ball moving on this," he said.

The report says the drone industry could generate more than $82 billion for the economy in the first decade of its commercial use, with agriculture accounting for $75 billion of that figure.

"The economic benefits are significant," said Chris D'Couto, president and CEO of Neah Power Systems.

D'Couto said his company has entered into a partnership with a drone company to develop fuel cell power for drones that could extend their flying time from the usual two hours to up to eight.

"Our take is that developing countries are more receptive to drones than the U.S. is," he said.

FAA's issues

There are two main issues confronting the FAA on commercial drone use: safety and privacy issues.

There's concern drones could harm people on the ground while people's privacy from drones raises civil liberty issues.

In January, FAA Administrator Michel Huerta told a Senate panel looking into drone rules and regulations that, "Even today, we don't have a full and complete understanding of where this is going in the future, and that's one of the things that creates the greatest opportunity and the greatest challenges."

Neah Power Systems' D'Couto said a good place to start would be with farmers.

"It's important to work out privacy and safety concerns but with farmland you have a lot of open space," he argued. "I don't think they pose much of a safety risk."